ALAN IRVINE is confident that David Moyes will continue to make Everton a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League this season.

And the Preston manager has backed his mentor to make the signings that will ensure he continues to build on his achievements at the Goodison Park helm.

The former management duo go head to head for the first time since Irvine left his role as Moyes’s number two, when his Preston side host Everton at Deepdale tonight.

The last full season of the Scot’s five-and-half years at the club culminated in a sixth place finish, and after his departure during the last campaign, Everton managed to go one position better to secure a second successive Uefa Cup place.

And it’s that type of year-on-year improvement that convinces Irvine that Moyes – who is still chasing down his first signings of the summer – will get it right in the transfer market and, subsequently, on the pitch when the season kicks off too.

“What people have to realise is that it is becoming more and more difficult every year,” said Irvine.

“The fans can rest assured that David is working unbelievably hard to sign players that will improve the squad.

“But the quality in the squad has risen. What might have improved the squad three seasons ago won’t do so now – and the money needed to get these top class player isn’t always there.

“David won’t buy anyone for the sake of it, he will make sure he has done his homework. He will get all the support the club can give him and make some more astute signings.”

Irvine left for Preston last November when Everton were ninth in the Premier League and in the process of cruising through their Uefa Cup qualifying group.

His only return to Goodison in the remainder of the campaign was to witness the end of that European adventure when Fiorentina progressed to the last eight following a penalty shoot-out.

But witnessing his former club’s achievements from afar has convinced Irvine that they can sustain those standards this term.

He said: “I thought it was a fantastic season when Everton took another big step forward and there’s no doubt they fully deserved it.

“What they did in the league was terrific and I expect it to be another great season this season.

“David has put together a really good, close-knit squad and they will be a force to be reckoned with again this year.

“It’s down to good management. David leaves nothing to chance and if he can get everybody fit it’s a really good group.”

After Irvine’s last game with Everton at Chelsea in November, there was an international break in which he completed his sudden move to replace Paul Simpson at Deepdale.

He subsequently never had the chance to say a proper farewell to the supporters who warmed to him as a player in the 1980s and on his return to Merseyside in 2002.

Returning to Goodison Park for such ceremonies was never on the agenda once he dived in at the deep end of the Championship and was immersed in keeping his new club’s head above water in the battle for survival.

But with that mission successfully achieved he can now look forward to a reunion with Evertonians.

And he will never tire of coming face to face with one of his Preston predecessors in Moyes – the man who he credits with helping him survive his first foray into management.

“It got to the stage where I was ready for management because of the work I was doing with David,” Irvine added.

“All it meant was me being able to come in and do the job but the only difference was having the final decision on things. That was the only thing I’d never done before.

“So that experience helped me make the decision.

“It was a really tough decision to go because I had a fantastic job at a club I think so highly of and it’s also one of the safest jobs around thanks to what David has done there.

“I wasn't looking to leave but when I was offered the job by Preston – actually through David – it left me thinking that if I hadn’t taken it, it would be me saying that I didn’t fancy management. SoI would have regretted not taking it.

“And I don’t have any regrets now. On January 12 we were bottom of the table but after that our record was only equalled by Hull City – and look where they ended up.

“Now I just hope we can get off to a good start and continue that form, but that will be difficult over a long, hard season.”

Irvine, 50, added: “I’m really looking foward to tonight. It will be a fantastic occasion for me on a personal note.

“The Everton fans were always absolutely brilliant with me so it will be nice to see them.”